At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to provide top-notch care for small animals and perform a variety of surgeries.
- Company: Barton Lodge Vets, a trusted name in pet care for over 50 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, private medical insurance, and CPD support.
- Other info: Work in a supportive team environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in pets' lives while enjoying a great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experienced Veterinary Surgeon with a passion for animal care and surgery.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 70000 € per year.
Salary up to £70,000 DOE. Relocation allowance up to £5,000. Welcome bonus up to £5,000.
Barton Lodge Vets has been proudly caring for pets in the Hemel Hempstead community for over 50 years. Our reputation is built on compassion, high standards, and long‑term relationships with clients who trust us to care for their beloved animals. We’re now looking for a confident, experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly and dedicated team. If you’re seeking a practice where your skills and experience will be valued and where you can continue to grow this could be the perfect next step.
A Modern Practice with a Rich History
Our practice has a warm, welcoming atmosphere while offering up‑to‑date facilities designed to help you work at your best. We have a dedicated operating theatre, three consulting rooms (including a nurse consult room), a large prep area, separate dog and cat wards, isolation kennels and an imaging and dental suite with digital X‑ray. You’ll also find a dispensary, and office space for admin work. We’ve invested in ongoing refurbishments to keep our environment modern, bright, and practical. Our light and airy reception area creates a positive first impression for clients, while our kitchen and staff lounge are well stocked with tea, coffee, snacks, and a full biscuit tin because we know small comforts make a big difference in a busy day.
A Varied Caseload to Keep You Engaged
We offer a good balance of surgery and consulting, ensuring variety and clinical challenge. Our patients include cats, dogs, rabbits, and small furries from guinea pigs to the occasional hamster or rat. You’ll perform a range of routine surgeries such as neutering and lump removals, alongside dentals, more complex soft‑tissue surgeries and ECC work when needed. We have a steady orthopaedic and soft‑tissue caseload, so if you hold (or are working towards) a certificate, or have a strong background in these areas, that will be a great advantage. While we’re supported by Vets Now on‑site for out‑of‑hours care, we aim to keep as much work as possible in‑house and can bring in visiting specialists when required.
Excellent Equipment to Support Your Skills
You’ll have access to an extensive range of diagnostic and surgical equipment including a MyLab 25 Gold E‑SAOTE ultrasound scanner, in‑house laboratory, multi‑parameter monitor, tonometer, endoscope, blood pressure monitor, EPOC analyser, dental X‑ray, and a fully equipped X‑ray suite. Everything you need to work cases up thoroughly and deliver top‑quality patient care is right at your fingertips.
A Supportive and Experienced Team
Our close‑knit team includes three vets, five RVNs, two SVNs, two receptionists, and a practice manager. We’re proud to have an AVP certificate holder in Small Animal Medicine, and GP Certs in Feline Medicine, and Small Animal Medicine, ensuring you’ll always have knowledgeable colleagues to collaborate with. A candidate with an interest in surgery would be a great addition of skills to our team. Our nursing team is a real asset to the practice led by a Head Nurse who’s been with us for nearly 30 years. They run their own nurse clinics, assist with surgeries, and provide invaluable support across daily tasks. At Barton Lodge, teamwork is at the heart of everything we do.
A Role That Fits Your Lifestyle
This role offers a great work‑life balance, our full‑time hours consist of four 10 hour days (8am – 7pm) and 1 in 4 Saturday mornings – sole charge (8am–1pm). There are no out‑of‑hours, Sundays, or bank holiday duties, as we’re fortunate to be a Vets Now host practice, meaning our in‑patients are cared for overnight by their dedicated emergency team all under our own roof.
A Practice That Cares About More Than Pets
We’re proud to support a number of animal welfare charities, including the local RSPCA, Cats Protection, and Dogs Trust. As part of the IVC Evidensia family, we also work closely with StreetVet, helping to provide veterinary care for the pets of people experiencing homelessness. Giving back to our community is something we take to heart, it’s part of who we are.
Life in Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead is a vibrant and well‑connected town in Hertfordshire, offering an excellent balance between green, open spaces and modern amenities. Set among rolling countryside and close to the Chiltern Hills, it’s perfect for those who enjoy walking, cycling, and outdoor adventures. The town itself has a welcoming community feel, with plenty of shops, cafés, restaurants, and leisure facilities, including parks, gyms, and a popular sports centre with various swimming pools, gym, fitness classes, squash, tennis, badminton, football and we also have The Snow Centre. With easy access to the M1 and M25, and direct train links to London in under 30 minutes, Hemel Hempstead is ideal for professionals looking for a relaxed lifestyle with all the convenience of the city close by.
You Matter to Us – Your Benefits at a Glance
- Work‑life Balance & Wellbeing: 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays – plus your birthday off
- Private medical insurance
- Enhanced family‑friendly leave and pay
- 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme
- Development: £1,250 CPD allowance + 40 hours paid CPD Certificate and advanced learning support & Access to Vetlexicon online resources
- World leading IVC Evidensia Training Centres
- £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
- Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, RCVS fees
- Colleague Benefits: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies), Retail discounts and cashback offers, Reduced‑cost veterinary care for your own pets
Apply today or get in touch for an informal, confidential chat.
Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Hemel Hempstead employer: Ivc
Barton Lodge Vets is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where your skills as a Veterinary Surgeon will be truly valued. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, generous benefits including a competitive salary, relocation allowance, and extensive professional development opportunities, you can thrive both personally and professionally in the vibrant community of Hemel Hempstead, surrounded by beautiful countryside and modern amenities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Hemel Hempstead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow vets, attend local events, or join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up and shine! If you can, visit the practice you're interested in. A friendly chat with the team can make a lasting impression and show them you're genuinely interested in joining their crew.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview like it’s a big surgery! Research the practice, understand their values, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Hemel Hempstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your love for animals shine through in your application. Share experiences that highlight your dedication to veterinary care and how you connect with pets and their owners.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that match what we're looking for, especially in surgery and small animal care. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Craft a Personal Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're the perfect fit for Barton Lodge Vets. Be personal, be genuine, and don’t forget to mention why you’re excited about joining our friendly team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important details about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ivc
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, brush up on your veterinary knowledge, especially regarding small animals. Familiarise yourself with common procedures and conditions you might encounter at Barton Lodge Vets. This will show that you're not just passionate but also well-prepared.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous roles and how they relate to the position. Highlight any specific surgeries or cases you've handled, especially those involving orthopaedics or soft-tissue work. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and confidence in a clinical setting.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Barton Lodge values collaboration, so be sure to share examples of how you've worked effectively within a team. Talk about your interactions with nurses and other vets, and how you’ve contributed to a positive working environment. This will resonate well with their team-oriented culture.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the practice, such as their approach to continuing education or how they support their staff's professional development. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
